WBC Sightings

3 to 9 February 2013

Two Rough-legged Buzzards were present at Haddiscoe Island, 3 to 6 February, with one remaining to the end of the week, and a Red Kite flew west over Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe, 3 February. Oulton Marshes attracted a Merlin, 8 February, and a male Hen Harrier the following day, while a Merlin and a Peregrine were noted at Haddiscoe Island, also 9 February. Marsh Harriers were recorded at Carlton Marshes, 3 February, Beccles Marshes, 4 February, Haddiscoe Island (four), 7 February, and Burgh Castle (two), 9 February. Three Short-eared Owls were hunting at Haddiscoe Island, 7 February, while Barn Owls were reported from Haddiscoe Island (three), 7 February, and Oulton Marshes (two) and Carlton Marshes, 9 February.

Two Waxwings were present at the junction of St Johns Road and Bardolph Road, Bungay, 5 February. Grey Wagtails were seen at Beccles Common, 3 and 5 February, and Lock’s Lane, Shipmeadow, 9 February, 50 Siskins flew south in two flocks at Burgh Castle, 9 February, and Kingfishers were noted at Earsham GP, 3 February, and Carlton Marshes, 9 February.

The flooded marshes between Bungay and Beccles attracted some Bewick’s Swans, with 29 at Geldeston Marshes, 4 February, 21 at Mettingham Marshes, 5 February, and 29 at Shipmeadow Marshes, 7 February. A flock of 13 Brent Geese was present at Haddiscoe Island, 3 February, and a count of 700 Teal was made at Burgh Castle Flats, 3 February.

Notable waders at Burgh Castle Flats included an Avocet, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, six Redshanks and two Dunlin, 3 February, and a Spotted Redshank and 80 Curlews, 9 February. Three Redshanks were also noted at Flixton GP, 3 February, together with two Green Sandpipers, and two Green Sandpipers were also present at Shipmeadow Marshes, 7 February. Woodcock were reported from Earsham GP, 4 February, and Ellingham Marshes, 5 February, while Little Egrets were noted at Wortwell, 3 February, Ditchingham and Earsham GP, 4 February, and Oulton Marshes, 9 February.